Tucson is the second-largest city in the southwestern state of Arizona. The city has pleasantly cooler temperature than Phoenix and is located in the Sonoran Desert. Tucson is one of the “forty fastest growing metropolitan areas” of the United States.  With a population of one million in the metropolitan area, the city is the 51st largest city in the country.   TABLE OF CONTENTS:  Overview - Culture - Location & Orientation - Climate & When to Visit - Sightseeing Highlights - Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum - Old Tucson Studios - Reid Park Zoo - Mission San Xavier del Bac - Fox Tucson Theatre - Pima Air and Space Museum - Presidio San Agustin de Tucson (Fort Tucson) - Rialto Theatre - Tucson Botanical Gardens - Kitt Peak National Observatory - Tohono Chul Park - Saguaro National Park - McKale Memorial Center, University of Arizona - Colossal Cave - Recommendations for the Budget Traveler - Places to Stay - Comfort Inn - Doubletree Inn – Reid Park - Hotel Congress - Best Western Plus Royal Sun Inn - Country Inn & Suites - Places to Eat - Diablo Burgers - El Charro Cafe - Beyond Bread - Cup Cafe - Caffe Milano - Places to Shop - Casa Adobes Plaza - Old Town Artisans - Downtown Tucson - La Encantada - Tucson Mall